Blank-transeer mechanism for brick presses



Feb. 24, 1925.

D.'E. PLYMPTON BLANK TRANSFER MEGHANISM FOR BRICK PRESSES Filed Deo. 8, 1922 I I I I I l I I l I l I I y r H LI 2L III IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIyI D. E. PLYMPTON iled Decv. 8. 1922- l BLANK TRANSFER MEGHANISM FOR BRICK PRESSES Feb. 24, 1925.

Feb. 24. 1925.

. A 1,527,573 D. E. PLYMPToN BLANK TRANSFER MECHANISI FOR BRICK PRESSES Filed Dec. e, "192g 7 sheets-sheet s l l a Plyhybony Feb. 24, Ims. 1,527,573

D. Eu PLYMPTON BLANK TRANSFER MECHANISH FOR BRICK PRESSES Filed Dec. B. 1922 7 Sheets-Shee 1 Feb. 24, 1925.

- D. E. PLYMPTQN LANK TRANSFER MEGHANISH'FOR BRICK PRESSES Filed Dec. a. 192g z Shetsgsneet s 'Mr/vEss:- Y a i 35% Feb. 24, 1925. y 1,527,573

D. E. PLYMP'roN VBLANK TRANSFERMECHANISM FOR BVRICK PRESSES iled Dec. s, 192; v'r sheets-sheet 6 D. E. PLYMPToN BLANK TRANSFER MECHANISL! FOR BRICK PRESSES Feb. 24, 1925.

Filed Dec. a.` 1922 '7 Sheets-Sheet Patented Feb. 24, 1925.

`DNALD *ELIJAI-LjPLYMZRTON, QFAELLWOO'D CITY, PENNSYLVANIA,

ventunenne-:estesifMsGit-ANISMIFGismCK errug-se. filed lieiebel 8, 19.2%Y Serielle@ 5,915,699

i To. all tu @om t may. concern Be itknowngtliat I, DONALD E., Piiiiirr'ron,

a citizen of tlie `United States, residing-at Ellwood, ity, in thefcounty of Lawrence vtroni acpntinuouslyitravelingbelt or conveyorsuclras that by Wliieli inolded brick bl,anls are conducted `from the inolding ont ,distortion to` andY wdepositing tlie saine in a b ricle press; `and 4incidentallily it Vis a.

further and v important object of ythe inventoiltoprovide atransierlineclianisni Wlierein, a ,carrier `Wlien lo,adecl aiid wliile travers ies the path Provided, ,therefor between. the A receiving station, and ,the delivery ,station sliall nuove and particularly sdllilall A start .at

the.receiving-Stamm,.and 'stop` ,tftheleliveiy station `under suoli conditions. as tog avoid` japring and. thereby distorting ,the yblank Witliput 4 consuining an unneeessary amount of time. i

lation Iwith tliel briclt press `orpany equivalent apparatus at the deliiiery end ofl the path oi' inoveiiient olitlie carrier, shall be capable of re ceiivingl and engaging blanks oixotlier objects which K in ay be presented irregularly or at lirregular V intervals at, tlie receiving station.

Figure l is a side view oiY tlie transfer apparatus `associated with receiving and delivery stations Wliicli in tliis instance are` represented by a conveyor belt ,andthe .outline of a conventional forni oit' brick press.

Figure 2 is aplan view, ofthe apparatus A furtlienobjectof the invention ,is to i providea tnaiisternieclianisin which Wliile. intended to operatein accurately tinied re- .lilith the foregoing and furtlier related,

.with .tl'ie V power driven return devices oinitted.

Eigureisa side view on ascale enlarged as coinpared .with` Eigure l and partly longitudinal sectioinwitliitlie carriage in tlie position `Wliicli it occupiesjusthbefore it reaches the delivery station.

Figures isman end view of the ap varatiis vieviied l,troni thefpositionoi' the station.

Figure 5 is a view ov Athe,opposite orreceiving station.,end ofthe saine.

Figure 6 is a detailvievvuoftlieineans for e setting tlie,bl anl .clainps preparatory'to engageinent Witlr an .object at tlie. receiving station.

igure. Tis a view siinilarto Figure Gat an intermediate `point iii tlie setting xinovenient of tlie clainps.

i ligure` `isa View siinilar to Figures G andl Tsliovving vdiepe-rte in tlie positions Wliieli they occupy` when the setting ofthe clainps ylias been completed;

Figure 9 is a detail vieu7 of the iinal blank actuatedtrip.

Figure 1l() is a-siinilar view of the pijeliini nary blank actnatedf` trip.

Figures lland 1 2 aredetail yiews shoW- ing respectively the norinall and delivery positions oftliejaiv of one of theslide'clainp members. Y

Figure Ylris van enlarged detail plan section` ontlieline 13H13 otligure 3.

T lieineelianisin contemplates essentially a reciprocatorycarrier 20 with which is connected an oscillatory pendulous. act uator )2l mounted for swinging inoveinent frein an axis re-presentedby the shaft 22 through a patli extending botli directions `roin tlie vertical plane oi saidaiia clamping devices Asupported by the carrier, ineans `for causing ytlie elosing `and openingnoi tlie clainping devices uat opposite Vends of. tlie p atli ofinovenient of the carrier, and power driven inea-ns Vfor `effecting tlie return nieveinent of the actuator asl the carrier inoves frein tlie delivery station represented inthis instance by the brick press 23 to `the receiving station represented in tliis instance by tlie conveyor belt 24. In the illustrated enibodiinent of tlieinvention the actuator consistsof a lieavyratcliet Wlieel-25'lixed to tliepsliaft 22 Wliicli also carries a pulley or sprocket 26 adapted to receive` inotion trein a power chain or belt 27 to -tlie end tliat a continuons rotary inotion is coin'inunicfited Le elivery to the ratchet; together with a dog 2S mounted upon the `actuator which consists of a heavily weighted pendulum and is yieldingly held by a spring 29 in position for engagement with a tooth of said ratchet. Carried by the dog through arms 3() projecting therefrom are rolls 31 adapted at the limit of the return movement of the carrier to engage release cams 32 projecting from the side standards 33 of a suitable supporting frame upon which the shaft and its attachments are mounted. For maintaining the dog in its ratchet releasing position during the forward, active or transferring movement of the carrier which is connected with the actuator by means of rods 34, there is employed a pawl 35 arranged to engage a lug 36 projecting from the dog 28 through a slot 37 in the face of the actuator. Said pawl is provided with a trip rod 38 extending longitudinally of the actuator through a suitable guide 39.

The carrier traverses a track 40 of substantially U-form in plan with its closed end located adjacent to the receiving station and having its arms supported by brackets 41 projecting from the standards 33, and the front and rear rollers 42 and 43 of the carrier are arranged at different gages so as to traverse different paths on the tracks, with depressions 44 and 45 formed in the tracks adjacent to the receiving station to permit of the slight depression of the carrier when it reaches the position for receiving a load, and to the `end that a slight forward movement of the carrier from its initial loading position will be accompanied by a slight elevation of the carrier for a purpose which will appear hereinafter.

Arbitrarily assuming, for convenience, that the forward end of the carrier is that end which is in advance during the movement of the carrier from the receiving toward the delivery end of its path or during the period that the carrier is loaded, the blank or object engaging means with which the carrier is provided may be described as consisting of clamps each having a rear swinging member 46 and a front sliding member 47 or a rear passive member adapted to be withdrawn during the rearward or return movement of the carrier so as to pass over any blanks or objects which maybe located on the conveyor belt 24, as shown in full lines in Figure 1, and a front active member which is adapted to be moved toward and from the rear passive member to a greater or lesser extent necessary to secure effective clamping action of the blank or object therebetween. In the construction illustrated a plurality of clamps is illustrated and the rear members thereof-are preferably connected for simultaneously movement to form a yoke 48, see Figure 5,

upon which are mounted rotary disks constituting jaws for contact with the blanks at their rear ends. The arms of the yoke are mounted upon pivots 49 on the carriage and to one of said arms is attached a folding spring 50 designed to cause a folding or retracting action of the rear or passive jaws when the latter are released,-said jaws being normally held in their operative position by means of a latch 51 which is herein shown as pivoted at 52 to the under side of the carriage and is yieldingly held in engaging relation with an arm of the yoke by means of a spring 53.

The front or active members of the clamps are mounted to slide upon and in a path parallel with that of the carrier by means of horizontal arms 54 fitted in dove-tailed guides 55 and provided with actuating springs 56 connected at their rear ends with bell crank tensioning levers 57 which carry between them a terminal roller 58 for engagement with a stationary cam 59.

Associated with the active jaws of the clamps are setting levers 60 and 61 fulcrumed upon the carriage at 62 in co-axial relation and connected by links 63 with the active aws so that the depression of the free ends of said setting levers will serve to force the said aws forwardly in opposition to the tension of the springs 56. The setting lever 61 is provided with an extension 64 provided with a terminal arm 65 arranged in overlapping or overlying relation with the setting lever 60 so that the setting of both levers may be accomplished by the depression on the free end of the lever 61.

In operative relation with each of the setting levers there is arranged the brick-actuated trip of swinging or pendulous form consisting in the construction illustrated of a tube 66 pivotally mounted near its upper end as indicated at 67 and having a beveled lug 68 adapted to extend over the setting lever with which it is related to hold the lever in its depressed position.

Depression of the setting lever obviously will cause the swinging movement of the trip sufficient to permit engagement with the lug thereof by reason of the beveled surface of the latter as clearly shown in Figures 9 and 10. In addition to the tubular member 66 each trip embodies a stem 69 slidably fitted in the bore of the tubular member and provided at its lower end with a ball 70 with which the bricks, blanks or other objects carried by the conveyor belt may contact with the minimum risk of marking or scoring the blank, and the trips are mounted in such a rclation to the direction of movement of the blanks as carried by the belt at the receiving station tends to be swung in the direct-ion indicated by the dotted lines in Figure 10 so as to disengage the lug of the trip from the setting lever and thereby release `path of the setting lever, "so "thatwhen the latter is released by Vthe swinging 'movement of the brick actuated r'trip andthe consequent Withdrawal of the lug` G8 from engagement therewith, the upward `movement of the setting lever bringsfit into contact tvith the trip arms 72 and thus raises the stein 69 With the ball at the lower extremity thereol' out ofthe path of the brick.

The settiiig` lever 6l which ,as above described is utilized as a inealns'of causingthe settingI movements ot both levers `by `1reason olI the overlapping; relation of itsfarm with the settinglever 60, is 'depressedtermiroller is provided With la'spindle 7 5 afford-` mp; a lateral movement ot the roller 'ivit'h relation tothe-setting lever, and coiled upon said spindle. is a spring 76 serving' toA normally hold the latter in its position Ato enthe cam 74. Adjacent to thecamV 74 however, there `is disposed "a laterally lopera` tive cam 77 which imparts lateral movement to the roller 73 in vopposition to the actuated spring 7 6 during` said "forward or loaded movement of the carrier.

Vhe-n the carrier reaches its receiving' station it is secured by locking meanspending' the proper engagement of 'the clain'ps with the blanks as they are present-ed by vthe conveyor belt and which may be presented 1.vith some irregularity due to the operation of the. molding mechanism which forms no part oft the present invention, and in the construction illustra-ted, see Figure 3, these locking means consist ot latches/78 and 79 for respective engagement Withthe `catches 80 and 8l arranged in a slightly spaced relation or with catch 8l slightly in advance of catch 80, and the tails ofthe latches indicated at 82 are arranged inthe 4*paths 'off the setting levers so that as the settingle'vers are released through the displacement of the blank actuated trips 66, they `su'ee'essi`vely trip the latches 78 and, 7 9.

The discharge of the blanks tvhi'eh'hav'e been brought forward from the receiving station `to the delivery station, to vtheend that such discharge may be etfectedin timed relation with the operation ot the brick press having "for exam-ple, a "slide 88 eonneeted liter exampleby means of a ro'd 84 or its equivalen-t with a Vtrooker 85 aetuated by a'c'afmlSs, isieliiected by means ot atrip finger 87 *which on the advance of the slide 83 to receive-a new charge of blanks comes into Contact With land :trips the latch 5l ivhich holds "the Arear or passive ela-mp members in their "operative position, `and thus by 'the rearward swinging movement or said j-avs disengages the blanks and permits their deposit-uponthe slide 83.` j y j Theblank-'s,shoavn in dottedlines in Figure-2 are rectangular in cross seetipn and' have previouslyV been severed trom a ribbon ofplastic brick imaterial which has: been'eX- truded through a'die in "any common or preerred 'manner'. The rrictional `action ot'the walls of the die on the brick material prodnces minute cracks on the outer faces of the rib-bon, but such cracks Aare not formed on 'the vertical faces "of the l'blanks `as y"they are presented to the present maehine, fior the reason that these vert-ical Walls fare IVFor-med by the "severing lot Ythe *blanks from theribbon otbrilck material. Now -as the-top and bottom "faces of each blank `are Ethe faces Which have the minute cracks 'or fissures, propose ito turn the blank through ian angle o`f when `pressing,l trom the receivingfstationl to 'the delivery stat-ion in` order-that the blank may be fed into `the rbrick ipress 'with the ,cracked faces ofthe blank in a substafi'itially v'erticalposition, Wherebythe factioniotf the plunger 'of the press coming down on the top ot thefblank Will elose-thecrack i atheithan v4open the saine "as would Ioccur it the cracked surfaces of the blank were "at the top fandbotltoin when 4subjected to Vthe `action ott the plunger. j

lnforder to accomplish this turning ot the blanks the Erear` or passive. cl'anrj) members are `provided ivith retary disk-'likejaavs 88 and the fiontorlactive clamp members with rotary` jaws S9 Which'are preferably pivoted as `at 90 iiponspiindles-91 "having at tachedcrank varms 92 and 93 connected by a rod 94, jand With the crank 93 provided with an additional arm95 connected by rod 96 with an arm I97 oarriedby 'the toriva-rid end of Aone yend 4of the connecting rods 34ans plainly shown in Figures 1 and 2. As the carrier moves forward from its receiving' to its 'delivery position, `due to the swinging movement of the actuator 2l, a rocking movement is imparted to the'eonnecting "rod 34 which "causes an elevation oi' the arm 97 and henee a 'turning movement of the spindies 91 together With "the jav'vs 89 Carried thereby. The rotary mounting` "oit the ljaws 88` permit-s oi" a 'corresponding `rotation thereof so that Whereas the blank when engia-ged by the jaws at the Areceiving station.

lli() the carrier through an angle of O to bring the cracked surfaces of the blank into upright positions for discharge of the blank at the delivery station. The pivotal connection of the jaws 89 with the spindles 91 permits the swinging movement of the former during the discharge of the blank, and this movement of the jaw 89 is complemental to the receding movement of the cooperating rear jaw 88 which in receding, under the tension of the actuating spring 50, comes into contact with the lower end of the trip rod 88, Figure 1, and thereby disengages the pawl 35 from the dog 28 and permits` engagement of the latter with the ratchet so that t-he rotary movement of the lat-ter in the direc-tion indicated by the arrow thereon may be utilized to return the carriage to its initial or receiving position.

As the carriage approaches its receiving position the rear or passive jaw of each clamp is engaged by a cam 98 and swung` in opposition to the spring 50, as shown progressively by Figures G, 7 and 8 to its operative position where it is again secured by means of the latch 51. The carrier on reaching its receiving` position, as hereinbefore explained, is depressed by reason of the dropping of its bearing rollers into the depressions 44 and 45 of the track, the engagement of latches 78 and 79 with the catches 80 and 81, and the disengagement of the dog 28 from the power driven ratchet 25 by which the carrier has been returned; and during said return movement as also hereinabove explained the active jaws of the clamps or those which are mounted on the carriage for sliding movement and which are capable of the variable movement determinable for the'size of the object such as the brick or blank interposed between the same and the passive aws of the clamps, are set by the depression of the free end of the setting lever G1 through tlhe action of the roller 7 3 upon the cam 74.

Assuming that the conveyor belt 24 is continuously movable but presents the blanks with more or less irregularity or spacement to the transfer mechanism, and that the carrier of the latter has been positioned as above explained at the receiving station, the first blank which approaches the mechanism comes in contact with the blank actuated trip GG which controls the setting' lever 60 and which trip for convenience may be termed the preliminary trip for the reason that it is necessary for the blank to pass this trip without materially disturbing the mechanism, in order that it may pass onward to the second or main trip. Owing to the fact that the second or main trip serves to lock the setting lever 61 in its jaw opening position and said lever 61 serves to hold the lever 60 in its set position by reason of the arm 65, the first blank will pass under the preliminary trip 66 as indicated in Figure 10 and by reason of a supplemental cam arm 99 operating in connection with a guide roller the stem carrying the ball 70 of said trip will be elevated to permit passage of the blank without mutilating or marring the same and said blank will hence move forward until it comes into contact with the ball 70 of the second or main trip 66. Pressure of the blank against this trip will deflect it sufliciently to release the setting lever 61 which in turn will release the connected clamp jaw and permit the clamping of the blank between the jaw 48 connected with said released setting lever and the complemental passive jaw 8) at the rear end of the carrier. Furthermore the release of the setting lever G1 and its consequent upward movement will cause the trippinoof the latch 78 and its disengagement with the catch 8O so that the carrier will receive a forward impulse. due to the weight of the pendulous actuator 21. This forward movement will be arrested by the engagement of the latch 79 with the catch 81 after the carrier has moved a distance of say one-half an inch, and such forward movement has accomplished, by reason of the depressions 44 and 45 of the tracks an upward movement of the carrier sufficient to raise the engaged blank out of contact with the belt. The second brick or blank to approach the apparatus, either in close succession or in intervals depending upon the rapidity with which the blanks are carried by the belt, will again engage the preliminary blank actuated trip which in the mean time has dropped back to its initial position and has resumed its engagement with the setting` lever 60 to thereby hold the second clamp in its open position. Upon the engagement of said trip by the second brick however, and its upward swinging movement due to the progress of the brick, it releases the setting lever 6() which in turn swings upward to permit the closing of the second clamp and the consequent engage` ment of the brick or blank thereby, and the incidental disengagement of the latch 7 S) from the catch 81, whereupon the carrier rcsumes its interrupted forward movement under the influence of the actuator. As hercinbefore explained the pressure roller 7 8 of the setting lever 61 is deflected by the cam 77 as it passes the latter, and when the rollers 58 of the tensioning lever comes into contact with the cam 59 it serves to retard the forward movement of the carrier until, when said roller engages the seat 101 in said cam, the carrier is brought to rest without jar or shock and is thus held ready for the action of the press ope ating trip 87 which will release and permit the depositi of the blanks upon the slide of the press.

The mounting of the pendulous actuator l'ti lill) of the carrier duringzthe i greater portion of` l its progress between its recerving` station ande the delivery station "but to` canse a gradual or relatively slow.` starrt-ing@v move` ment of the carrier whenj released at` thereceiving; stationA and thezgraduali reduction in the speed lof movement of the carrier as it approaches the delivery station, and while in practice` it is` prefs fred to4 arrange; thei greater proportion ofi the patlr ofthe actu.- ator on-A that side of its4 neutral plane whiclr isftowardthe reeeiving station, so` as. to,` utilize toi ai greater extent-` the gravital action ofthe actuator in the forward movement of the carrier, and while it is also found-jalea sirable under some` conditions to supplement thisl forward movement, of theV actuator by means; of ai spring 102, as indicated inthe;

drawing, so that there` maybeno; lagghig of the mechanism in leavingithe receiving star-` tioirupon release of` the second latch, it is found that the tendency of@V the actu-aten to lag` during, its forward movement after it passes the neutralplaneparticularly when; supplemented by the cushioning ei-Eectotthe, contact of the roller 58 withthe cam, 59, serves te bring the; carriage to a` rest the delivery stationv without such jar or shock' as. can: effect the form of the blanlcor object supported bythe carrier. In; this connection itvsholuld benotedfl that the release of theac,m tive jaws of the clampslhas reduced the ten-r sion upon. the clampl actuating,- springs o6 which are connected with the tensioningy lever 57, but the engagement ofthe roller 58 wil-lr the cam serves to: increase the tension of said springs as the carriage approaches the limit of,itsmovement,` so: as to produce` ai substanti allr z cushioning `edect.

What is claimed is:

l; A transfer apparatus for blanks` and otherfobjects` havingr` an; oscillatory carrier mounted for forwardandreturn movements between a receivingor` loading;- station and a! delivery station and g-ravitallyl movable` in, the forward direction, means,- f-or; return-ing; the carrier, and carrier supported blank holding meansfor engaging and releasing the same respectively atsa-id stations.

2. A1 transfer apparatus for blanks and other objects having an oscillatory carrier mountedfor forward and returnmovements between a receiving or loadingstationane f delivery station and gravitallyi movable 1nthe forward direction', means forireturu-ing the carrier, and. carrier` supported"blank holding' `means for compressively engaging and expansively releasing the samerespee` tively at said stations.`

31 A transfer apparatus forv blanks` and other1 objects having, an oscillatory carrier mounted for forward i and return; movements between,a receiving or loading, stationanda` delivery station` and gravitally njiowible` in` the forward direction,,means for returning;`

the carrier, and pendent carrier supported blank` holding; means. for engaging and releasing'` the same respectively at said` sta,- tiene,

4:. Ai transfer" apparatus for blanks and .mounted for forward and return movements.

between they receiving station and the delivery` station and gravitally movable in the forward direction, means for returning` the carrier, and carrier supported blank holding` means-for engaging and lifting the saine at the` receivingstationand releasingthem at thev delivery station.

5.y A transfer a],a,pai.atiisl for blanks and other 'objects having a carrier mounted for forward and i return movements between the re as iving;` stationr and the deliveryv station` grafiritally` movable in the forward directionbmeansgfor` returningthe carrier, and carrier supported blank holding nleans for successively engaging, turning` the blank on a horizontal axisand releasing the same.

6, A` transfer apparatus for blanks and other objects having,l a carrier mounted for forward: andretu-rn movements between the receiving station and the delivery station and gravitally movable in the forward direction, means for returning-,the carrier, and carrier supported blank holding means for successively engaging, lift-ing, turning` the blank on a horizontal axis and releasing the saine-l,

7. Ar transfer apparatus for blanks and other objects. having` an oscillatory carrier mounted for forward and return movements between a1 receiving station and a` delivery stationl and gravitally movable,inv the forward direction, locking `A means'for retaining the; carrier` at the receiving station, means for returning/the,- ca-rrie-r fromithe delivery to i the receiving station, carrier supported blank holding means; for. engaging and releasing the same` respectively at said stations, andblank a'ctuable meansfor releas-` inghthe` carrier; `for forward ,movement 8. A transfer apparatusfor blanks` and other: objects havinga carrier mounted for forward and return movements between a receivirig1 stationL and a delivery station and gravitally movablein` the forward direction, locking means forretainfngthe carrier at thereceivingstation,E means for returningthelcarrier fromthe delivery to the re,ceiving station, carrier supported blank holding means, for engaging and releasing;` the same respectively at said stations, and blank; actuablemea-ns for releas-ng the, car rier4 foriforward movement, retarding means being` provided to cushion` thev approach` of the, carrierto: the deliverystation` Si.` A transfer apparatus` for blanks and l'lO other objects having a carrier mounted for forward and return movements between a receiving or loading station and a delivery 'station and gravitally movable in the forward direction, means for returning the carrier, and carrier supported blank holding means for engaging and releasing the same respectively at said stations, and retarding means having a progressively tensionable element to cushion the approach of the carrier to the delivery station.

10. A transfer apparatus for blanks and other objects having a carrier mounted for forward and return movements between a receiving or loading station and a delivery station and gravitally movable in the forward direction, means for returning the carrier, and carrier supported blank holding means for engaging and releasing the same respectively at said stations, retarding means consisting of a spring pressed roller and a coacting cam surface to cushion the approach of the carrier to the delivery station.

11. A transfer apparatus for blanks and other objects having a carrier mounted for forward and return movements between a receiving or loading station and a delivery station and gravitally movable in the forward direction, means for returning the carrier, and carrier supported blank holding means for engaging and releasing the same respectively at said stations, retarding means consisting of a spring pressed roller and a coacting cam surface to cushion the approach of the carrier to the delivery station, said cam surface having a roller reeeiving seat for holding the carrier in position at the delivery station.

12. An apparatus for transferring blanks from a receiving station to a delivery station, where the blanks are presented progressively and successively at the receiving station, having a carrier provided with successively actuable clamps for respectively engaging the blanks, blank actuable trips lfor respectively closing the clamps, clamp releasing means at the delivery station, carrier actuating means exerting a constant forward impulse when the carrier is at the receiving station, and carrier holding` latches at said receiving station releasable successively by the operation of said trips for permitting step by step forward movements of the carrier.

13. An apparatus for transferring blanks from a receiving station to a delivery station, where the blanks are presented progressively and successively at the receiving station, having a carrier provided with successively actuable clamps for respectively engaging the blanks, blank actuable trips for respectively closing the clamps, clamp releasing means at the delivery station, carrier actuating means exerting a constant forward impulse when the carrier is at the receiving station, and carrier holding latches at said receiving station releasable successively by the operation of said trips for permitting step by Step forward movements of the carrier, the path of the carrier as it leaves its initial position at the receiving station being disposed obliquely to the blank supporting plane of said station.

14. A blank transfer apparatus having a carrier exposed when at the loading station to a constant forwardly impelling force and restrained by a holding latch, a pre-set blank engaging clamp on the carrier, a blank actuable trip for releasing the clamp and means actuable upon clamp releasing movement of the trip for disengaging said latch.

15. A blank transfer apparatus having a carrier exposed when at the loading station to a constant forwardly impelling force and restrained by a holding latch, a plurality of pre-set successively operable clamps for engaging the blanks or objects, a blank actuable trip for holding each clamp in its set position, and means actuable upon clamp releasing movement of one of said trips for disengaging said latch.

16. A blank transfer apparatus having a. carrier exposed when at the loading station to a constant forwardly impelling force and restrained by a holding latch, a plurality of pre-set successively operable clamps for engaging the blanks or objects, a blank actuable trip for holding each clamp in its set position, and means actuable upon clamp releasing movement of the last of said trips for disengaging said latch.

17. A blank transfer apparatus having a carrier exposed when at the loading station to a constant forwardly impelling force and restrained by a plurality of latches successively operative at short intervals in the advance movement of the carrier, a plurality of pre-set successively operative clamps, blank actuable trip for holding each clamp in its set position, and means actuable upon clamp releasing movement of each of said trips for disengaging one of said carrier holding latches.

18. An apparatus for transferring blanks and the like having a carrier movable toward and from a loading station and exposed when at the station to a constant forwardly impelling force, said carrier being provided with blank engaging means, means for holding the carrier at the station, and a blank actuable trip for controlling the blank engaging means and releasing the carrier.

19. An apparatus for transferring blanks and the like having a carrier mo-vable toward and from a loading station and exposed when at the station to a constant forwardly impelling force, said carrier being provided with blank engaging means, means fio lfor holding the carrier `at the stati-on, and iblank actuable trips for respectively controlling the `blank engaging means, the ear- `rier holding means being releasable .by one of said trips.

`20. LAn apparatustoritranstei'ring blanks and the likehavinga carrier =inovabileiito Ward andlrom a loading stati/on .and eX- posed when at the station .toa-constant toravardly iinpelling'torce, .said carrier being i provided `with blank `engaging zmeans, means lior holding the carrierat` ithe station, and blank actuab-le trips `tor successivelycontrolling the blank engaging means, the carrier holding means beingfileleasable `bykthe last actuated trip.

`2111. An apparatus lor transferring blanks and: the like having a carrier movable yto- `avard l.and from alloadiing stationy and exposed when at tliestation to a constant fon `nardly impelling `to\rce,ithe carrier being i provided with' blank engaging means, imeans including a plurality et latcliesetor holding the carrieriat the station, vand blankfactuable Vtrips for respectively,controlling the blank engaging means and1 respectively disengaging said latches. y

22. An apparatus ortransterriiig blanks `and thellijke having a carrier mov-able toivaiid `and tnomqaV loading station .and exposed Whenat the stationto a constant torwandly impelling torce, the earrienbeing provided With blank engaging means, means including a plurality et latches tor holding the carrierat the station, and blankactiiable trips tor successively controlling the blank engaging means and respectively disengaging said latches. i

23. An apparatus tor transferring blanks and the like having a carrier movable toivai'd and :trom a loading station and eX- i posed when at the station to a constant torwardily impelling torce, the carrier being provided with blankengaging means, means t including a plurality of latches iorholding the carrier at the station, and blankactuable trips `for respectively controlling the blank engaging means and successively disengaging said latches.

2st. An apparatus for transferring blanks :and the like from vaiieceiving or loading -`lstation provided `Wiitlia progressively movable blank `conveyingsurtace, having a carrier provided with blank engaging means, a blank actuable trip tor controlling the blank engaging means, and means :actua-ble .rufpon the engagement of a @blank for raising the 4saine from the conveying surface.

26. -An apparatus tor transferring blanks 'tioniprovided with a progressively movable "blanlk Iconveying surface, having a carrier providedovith blank engaging means and a blank actuable trip toi controlling the blank rier, the lpath oft the `carrier at the loading station receding abruptly trom `the plane of said blank Aco-nveyi'ng surface.v

Vprovided with successively operable blank engaging means, successively Aoperative ated 'to `permit limited `forward movements "ot the carrier, and blank-actuable trips tor respectively controlling the blairk `engaging means and successively actuating said carrier holding means, the path oi the carrier at 'l the loading station vreceding Vabruptly from tlie plane et said blank conveying fsnrtace.

28. A transfer apparatus i'tor `blaiilfzs having a carrier mounted for orWf-irdwand reuturn movements between receiving fand `dclivery stations and gravitally 4movable from a state ot rest Vat the receiving station, means tor effecting Atliereturn `movement of the oarrier, meanstor holding the carrier at 4the receiving station during the loading operation,` blank engaging clamps having ment bers pendent trom the carrier `and movable to bear against opposite sides ot an interposed blank, blank actuable means A"tor oontrolling the blank engaging movement ot the clamps and releasing the carrier, and means at the delivery station tor effecting blank releasing movement ot the clamps.

29. A transiter apparatus tor blanks having a carrier mounted tor for-Ward and return movements between receiving and delivery stations and gravitally movable from a state ot rest at the receiving station, .ieans for effecting the return movements of the carrier, means toi holding the carrier at the receiving station during the loading operation, blank engaging clamps havintg meinbers pendent from the carrier and movable to bear against opposite sides ot an interposed blank, blank actuable means for icontrolling the blank engaging movement of' the clamps and. releasing the carrier, and means at the delivery stationtor effect-ing and the likelrom a reciving or loading sta-` *engaging means andthe release `of the car! means 'for holding the carrier at the station -and =adapted as they are successively actullO blank releasing` movement of the clamps, one member of each'clamp being mounted for retraction from the plane of blanks at the receiving station to pass thereover during the return movement of the carrier.

30. A transfer apparatus for blanks having a carrier mounted for Jforward and return movements between receiving and delivery stations and gravitally movable from a state of rest at the receiving station, means for effecting the return movement of the carrier, means for holdinlg the carrier at the receiving station during the loading operation, blank engaging clamps having members pendent fro-m the carrier and movable to bear againstopposite sides of an interpose blank. blank actuable means for controlling the blank engaging movement of the clamps and releasing the carrier` and means at` the delivery station for effecting blank releasing movement of the clamps, one member of each clamp being hinged for mo-vement to a folded position during the return movement of the carrier.

31. A transfer apparatus for blanks having a carrier mounted for forward and return movements between receiving and delivery stations and gravitallv movable from a state of rest at the receiving station, means for effecting the return movement of the carrier, means for holding the carrier at the receiving station during the loading operation, blank engaging clamps having members pendent from the carrier and movable to bear against opposite sides of an interposed blank, blank actuable means for controlling the blank engaging movement of the clamps and releasing the carrier, and means at the delivery station for effectinlg blank releasing movement of the clamps, one member of each clamp being spring retracted to avoid contact with a blank during the return movement of the carrier and means for repositioning said member at the receiving station.

32. A transfer apparatus for blanks having a carrier mounted for forward and return movements between receiving and delivery stations and gravitallv movable from a state of rest at the receiving station, means for effecting the return movement of the carrier, means for holding the carrier at the receiving station during the loading operation, blank engaiging clamps having members pendent from the carrier and movable to bear against opposite sides of an interposed blank, blank actuable means for controlling the blank engaging movement of the clamps and releasinlg the carrier, and means at t-he delivery station for effecting blank releasing movement of the clamps,

' one member of each clamp being spring retracted to avoid contact with a blank during return movement of the carrier, means for operatively positioning said member at the receiving station. means for holding said member in its operative position.. and means at the delivery station for releasing said member to discharge the blank.

83. A transfer apparatus for blanks having a. carrier mounted for forward and return movements between receivinig and delivery stations and gravitally movable from a state` of rest at the receiving station, means for effecting the return movement of the carrier, means for holding the carrier at the receiving station during the loading operation, blank engaging clamps having members pendent from the carrier and movable to bear against opposite sides of an interposed blank. blank actuable means for controlling the blank engaging movement of the clamps and releasinlg the carrier, and means at the delivery station for effecting blank releasing movement of the clamps, one member of each clamp being spring retracted to avoid contact with a blank during return movement of the carrier, a cam for restoring said member at the receiving station, means for holding said member in its operative position, and a trip at the delivery station for releasing said member.

34. A transfer apparatus for blanks having a carrier mounted for forward and return movements between receiving and delivery stations and gravitally movable fro-m a state of rest at the receiving station, means for eecting the return movement of the carrier, means for holding the carrier at the receiving station during the load' 'i' operation, blank engagingclamps havin members pendent from the carrier and movable to bear against opposite sides of an interposed blank. blank actuable means for contro-llinlg the blank engaging movement of the clamps and releasing the carrier, and means at the delivery station for effecting blank releasing movement of the clamps, the blank engaging elements of the clamps bein revoluble on a common axis perpendicular to the plane thereof to permit of turning the blanks.

A transfer apparatus for blanks hai'- ing a carrier mounted for forwzud and return movements between receiving and delivery stations and gravitally movable from a state of rest at the receiving station. means for effecting the return movement of the carrier, means for holding the carrier at the receiving stat-ion during the loading operation, blank engaging clamps having members pendent from the carrier and movable to bear against opposite sides of an interposed blank, blank actuable means for controlling the blank engaging movement of the clamps and releasing the carrier, and means at the delivery station for effecting blank `releasingslnovement lof .the liclaimps, vthe blank,` engaging` elements `oi" ,i the clamps be` lng revolubie on a common .axis perpendicu-` lar togpthe planetliereot, andi-means for rotating Atht-same .to` turnV the blanks. i

36;V A transfer Aapparatus for. blanksVV hav-- inga carrier mounted :for 4forward .and `1reable to bear against ,opposite sides of .an A interposed blank, blank; actuable .meansfifor controlling i. the blank l, engaging Amovement of the clamps and releasing .the carrier,and

means `at` the delivery station. .for effecting.

blank releasing,4 movement of the clamps, the blank engagingelements of, the. clamps being revolubleon common axispei'pendicin i larA `to the plane thereof, and meanslior pro-V `gressively rotating the same. to turn the blanks `during `lthe movement l thereof from the receiving to the` deliveryfistationa 37, A ,transfer apparatus for blanks *hav-V,

ing a carrier mounted` to-rfiiorward and re-f turnamovements betweenareceiving and de livery stati ons. and g avitallyimovable frein a stateof rest at the i'eceivingstation, means for effecting `the ,return movement. of l the 1 carrieiy,meansV for, holding the carrier-at ,the` receiving `station during the loading operation,` blank l engaging clamps having members .pendent fromzthe carrier. and mov-V ableito bear` against opposite sidesof anlintei-posed` blank,` blank actnabletmeans for controlling theblankengaging movement of the clamps and releasingtlie carrier, and

means at the delivery station for eilecting` blank releasing movement oi the clamps, one member of each clamp being yieldmgly im- `pelled `toward tlie other, and meansjactuableduring the return movement of the carrier `for setting said clamp member in `its.

open position, said clamp member being held in its set position `by said blank, actuable"` means.

38. A transfer apparatus ifor blankshavr-A ing a carrier mounted for forward and re turn movements betweenreceiving yandvdelivery stations and gravitally movable from a state of rest atthe receiving statiommeans for effecting the returnmovement olf the carrier, means for holding the carrier at the receiving station during the loading oper ation, blank engaging clamps having members pendent from the carrier and movable to bear against opposite sides of an interposed blank, blank actuable means for controlling the blank engaging movement of the clamps and releasing the carrier, and

means atv the r delivery stationfor effectingr blank-ireleasingmovement of the clamps,`

one member otfeaoh-clamp` being-slidalbly-- mounted` and spring Yimpelled toward `the other, a setting-lever connectedwitlrsaid` member,and a -lever i actuating cam inthe`- path thereof 1 during -movement of the carrier, said-` clamp meinber-being-heldin its set .position by-sa-idblank actuable means;-

39. A mechanism for transferring blanks and lthelike .f from areceiving-station to aideliiveryw stati-on, having' aicarrier provided with `a clamp `for successively en gaglng` and `releasinga` blank, mea-nsfv for eiiecting,alternate closing and opening movements oi 1 the clamp, and-*carrier actuating devices having vmeans for imparting initial and terminal movement at-a reduced speed 1 to the carrier.

40. Afmechanismvior transferring blanks i and the likei'rom a receiving station lto a delive-I-'ystatiom having --a carrier provided with` a clamp-flor successively engaging andV releasing a blank,-means `for eliecting alter means for imparting move-ment atgradually* increasing and `gradually `decreasing speeds? l nate closing 4and opening movements of Gthe clamp, and carrier actuating devices having respectively to the `carrier upon -leaving rthe 7 delivery station, having-a carrier provided With -a clamp for successively engaging and releasing a blank, means for efectingfalt/er nate closing and opening movements of the clamp, and carrier actuating devices having means including a pendulous gravitally the carrier.

-iniiuenced element for imparting graduated initial and terminal speed of movement to 42. A mechanism for transferring blanks and the like from a receivin'gstation to a delivery station, having a carrier provided vvitha clamp Vfor successively engaging and releasing a blank, means for effecting alter-A nate closing and opening movements ofthe clamp, and carrier actuating devices having means including a pendulous gravitally influenced element for imparting graduated initial and terminal speed of movement to the carrier, said element being movable throughithe vertical plane of itsA axis.

43. A `mechanism for transferring blanks and the like from a receiving station to a delivery station, having a carrier provided with a clamp for successively engaging and releasing a blank, means for eilecting alternate closing and opening movements of the clamp, and carrier actuating devices having means including pendulous gravitally iniluenced element for imparting graduated initial and terminal speed of movement to the carrier, said pendulous element being supplemented by spring action during the forward movement of the carrier.

44. A mechanism `for transferring blanks and the like from a receiving station to a delivery station, having a carrier provided with a clamp for successively engaging and releasing a blank, means for effecting alternating closing and opening movements of the clamp, and carrier actuating devices having means including a pendulous gravitally infiuenced element for imparting graduated initial and termina-l speed of movement to the carrier, movable through the vertical plane of its aXis of suspension with a major portion of its path at the receiving station side of said vertical plane.

45. A mechanism for transferring blanks and the like from a receiving station to a delivery station, having a carrier provided with a clamp for successively engaging and releasing a blank, means for effecting alternate closing and opening movements of the clamp, and carrier actuating devices for imparting movement at a graduated speed thereto, said actuating devices including a pendulous gravitally influenced actuator having a path of movement extending through the vertical suspension.

46. A mechanism for transferring blanks and the like from a receiving station to a delivery station, having a carrier provided with a clamp for successively enga-ging and releasing a blank, means for eii'ecting alternate closing and opening movements of the i clamp, and carrier actuating devices for imparting movement at a graduated speed thereto, said actuating devices including a pendulous gravitally influenced actuator having a path yof movement extending through the vertical suspension and supplemented by spring action during its movement from the receiving towa-rd the delivery section.

47. A mechanism for transferring blanks and the like from a receiving station to a delivery station, having a carrier provided with a clamp for successively engaging and releasing a blank, means for effecting alternate closing and opening movements of the clamp, and carrier actuating devices for imparting movement at a graduated speed thereto, said actuating devices including a pendulous gravitally influenced actuator having' a path of movement extending through the vertical suspension and opposed as the carrier approaches the delivery sta'- tlon by a progressively resistant supplemental retarding means.

48. A mechanism for transferring blanks and the like from a receiving station to a delivery station, having a carrier provided with a clamp for successively engaging and releasing a blank, means for effecting alternate closing and opening movements of the clamp, and carrier actuating devices for imparting movement at al graduated speed thereto, said actuating devices including a pendulous gravitally influenced actuator having a path of movement extending through the vertical suspension and power actuated propelling means for eii'ecting return movement of the carrier.

49. A mechanism for transferring blanks and the like from a receiving station to a delivery station, having a carrier provided with a clamp for successively engaging and releasing a blank, means for effecting alternate closing and opening movements of the clamp, and carrier actuating devices for imparting movement at a graduated speed thereto, said actuating devices including a pendulous gravitally influenced actuator having a path of movement extending through the vertical suspension, in combination with power actuated propelling means for effecting return movement of the carrier, and means actuable by the blank releasing movement of the clamps for effecting the applicati-on of said propelling means.

50. An apparatus for the purpose specifield having a reciprocatory carrier provided with blank engaging means and blank controlled means for closing the same, a pendulous oscillatory actuator for moving the carrier between receiving and delivery stations and gravitally movable when the carrier is loaded, locking means releasable by said blank controlled means for holding the carrier at the receiving station, a continuously operated ratchet concentric with the actuator, a dog carried by the actuator and engageable with the ratchet for communicating return movement to the actuator, and means for disengaging the dog at the limit of said return movement, the blank engaging clamps including a member controlled by blank releasing movement for reengaging the dog with said ratchet. Y

DONALD ELIJAH PLYMPTON. 

